Mountview building checklist near complete

The Mountview Middle School building project is nearing its end. Chairman of the Mountview School Building Committee Paul Challenger told the selectboard on Feb. 27 that the building checklist is complete with the exception of a few HVAC tuneup’s and the addition of extra lockers.

The project is two to three months behind schedule but the committee is pleased with the progress, Challenger said, because “it is not bad at all for a project of this scope.”

Challenger added that there have been a few minor hiccups along the way.

Since the school’s opening two pipes have burst, one in the main lobby near the back entrance and one in the girls locker room during a cold snap.

“The cause was identified and fixed,” said Challenger. “They put antifreeze into the heating system so now they can get down to zero in school and the pipes won’t freeze.”

Challenger said extreme temperatures caused the pipes to freeze and insulation in the main lobby was not complete at the time. Since then the insulation has been repaired, said Challenger. “It will not be an ongoing problem,” he added.

Additionally, there was concern about hallway spacing and lockers so additional lockers will be added on each floor near the lab areas said Challenger. The school is at its projected peak this year as it is slightly over its 800 student capacity but the committee expects to see a decrease in numbers in the coming years added Challenger.

Although there is a still quite a bit of paperwork to complete, Challenger doesn’t foresee problems from a technical or accounting standpoint he said.

“It looks like we will be significantly under budget at $8.6 million,” said Challenger. Selectman Jeremy Kurtz clarified that Holden, which was reimbursed for about half of the $54 million project by the state, would see savings of around $4-5 million.

Selectmen congratulated Challenger and the committee for its dedication to the project and said they have received great feedback from residents in town.

Challenger thanked the board and said the building committee will continue to meet to monitor the close-out process.